Reviews with content warning for Terminal illness - This is Going to Hurt

An important book that manages to highlight the situation the NHS are in (which has only grown worse since publication) and talk about the real struggles and challenges of being a junior doctor in a funny yet informative way. With witty remarks and pithy comments throughout, Adam Kay's writing makes it easy to read through such a serious book in one sitting.

To anyone who uses, has used, or knows of the NHS service, I would recommend reading this book.

P.S. Grab a little thank you card or gift for your care team after your next hospital stay; goodness knows the government won't thank them

Content Warnings

anastasiak's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative sad fast-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

smupple's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

bookbird's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

Jan 2023: This must be my third or fourth reread of this incredibly special book. Kay is a master storyteller, and it's his finely balanced combination of light and dark that make this book so impactful. A must-read for anyone who has ever had even the briefest experience of the NHS.

Jan 2024: I don't think I'll ever be able to properly express how highly I recommend this book.

Content Warnings

rosalie362819's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging funny informative sad fast-paced

3.0

Favourite quotes:
“It now seemed extreme and unreasonable in terms of what was expected of me, but at the time, I’d just accepted it as part of the job. The extra mile was the normal distance.”

“The depth of the lows is the price you pay for the height of the highs.”

“She bursts into tears, and out come all the will nevers, the crushing realization that forever is just a word on the front of Valentine’s cards.”

“The other thing I realize is that none of her many, many concerns are about herself; it’s all about the kids, her husband, her sister, her friends. Maybe that’s the definition of a good person.”

“He must realize we have the same chat every time, but it clearly doesn’t matter—he just wants to know there’s someone out there who cares. And actually, that’s a very large part of what being a doctor is.”

“I dress him again, look up to a God I don’t believe in, and say, ‘Look after him.’”

“You don’t cure depression, the same way you don’t cure asthma; you manage it. I’m the inhaler he’s decided to go with and I should be pleased he’s gone this long without an attack.”

“Medicine is the host who manages to keep you at the party hours after you first think about leaving.”

“It’s funny—you don’t think of doctors getting ill.”

“Think about the toll the job takes on every medical professional, at home and at work. Remember that all of them do an absolutely impossible job to the very best of their abilities. Your time in the hospital may well hurt them a lot more than it hurts you.”

Content Warnings

More...